Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole (Printable)

Comforting chicken and broccoli baked with fluffy rice in a rich, creamy cheddar sauce. Topped with buttery breadcrumbs for the perfect golden crunch.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein & Dairy

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1 cup milk

→ Vegetables

05 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets or frozen, thawed and drained
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Grains

08 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice

→ Sauces & Seasonings

09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

→ Topping

13 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli florets, cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, 1½ cups cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, condensed soup, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
05 - Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
06 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
07 - Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until hot and bubbly throughout and the topping is golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set for easier portioning.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its a complete meal in one dish with protein, vegetables, and starch all together
  • The leftovers somehow taste even better the next day for lunch
  • You can assemble it ahead of time and bake when youre ready
02 -
  • Thaw frozen broccoli completely and squeeze out excess water or your casserole will be watery
  • Undercook your rice slightly since it will continue cooking in the oven
  • The casserole is done when the edges are bubbling and the topping is deep golden brown
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and prevent any unexpected texture issues
  • Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for the smoothest melting

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